” [Utah State Sen. Chris] Buttars is what he is: an embarrassment to the state of Utah, and, increasingly, a dinosaur.
When Buttars opens his mouth, it turns heads. It also changes minds, driving some conservatives toward the middle and some moderates to the left. He is, in our opinion, the best spokesperson that Utah’s LGBT community has ever had, galvanizing their righteous efforts to achieve not superiority, but equality.
Those efforts are gaining traction. It’s evident in the opinion polls that show the public favored a package of gay rights bills defeated in the Legislature, everything from protections against discrimination in housing and employment to rights of inheritance and medical visitation. And you can see it at the governor’s mansion, where Gov. Jon Huntsman endorsed civil unions and his public approval ratings didn’t budge. And at LDS Church headquarters, where officials are not opposed to certain rights for same-sex couples.
Buttars will never change. But Utah will. It’s already happening. And the momentum will grow, as small-minded men like Chris Buttars help move things along.” — The Editorial Board of the Sal Lake Tribune on homophobic, racist state Senator Chris Buttars.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Bruno
Excellent. But why does it seem like every major newspaper writer, every celebrity, etc. seem to be on our side but 52% still vote against us? It’s like these people only get their news from their churches and Lifesite/Town Hall.
Sebbe
@Bruno – Because all of those people tend to be more educated and worldly, at the very least exposed. Average Americans, not so much so. Think of how many people have never even left their state, never mind the hemisphere. SAD
Charles J. Mueller
@Sebbe:
Sebbe, when I was 8 years old, my family made our first trip to Florida from upstate New York, the first really long journey of my young life. Before the advent of the Interstate Highway System, it was a grueling and tiresome 3-day trip by car.
I was concerned about the week of time I would lose in my transfer from one school to another and the catching up I would have to do. My father replied, “Chuckie, don’t worry about it. travel is the best form of education.”
Since that first trip, I have traveled all over the world and visited many countries. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that was one of the most truthful and meaningful pieces of information that my father ever gave me.
What I have seen with my own eyes in my lifetime, would take me several lifetimes of reading about to learn…and then only as a passive, outside observer.
The most important thing that I learned in all of my travels, is that the game of life is played down there on the field…not sitting safe and sound up in the bleachers (or the pews)and observing it…with the mistaken notion that “they” know all about life.
Sebbe
@Charles – Well said.
p.s. – Your father was a wise man.
Charles J. Mueller
@Sebbe:
Thank you for your kind comments, Sebbe.
Btw, I wonder where our erudite young friend, VernonVanderbilt, is?
Haven’t’seen any of his intelligent and witty comments the last few days and I miss them, as I am sure do as well.
Sebbe
I thought I’ve seen him post something today. I could be wrong though.
BTW – did you watch SOU (lite) address. I felt like I was watching British House of Commons at times it was awesome. Jindal after for retort was horrible.
vernonvanderbilt
Sorry, friends…I’ve had a hectic few days lately, and haven’t been feeling very well to boot. I’ll see about jumping on some of these topics in the next day or so. I’d jump on the Buttars hayride, but he’s pretty much a waste of my time. It’s not like anyone takes him seriously, and if they do, they shouldn’t.
Excellent anecdote there as well, Charles. I firmly believe that personal experience trumps everything else as far as learning is concerned.
Charles J. Mueller
@vernonvanderbilt:
Nice to hear from you again, Vernon. You were missed.
Sorry to hear, however, that you’ve not been feeling very well. Hope it’s nothing serious, that you’re on the mend and fit as a fiddle again real soon.
Charles J. Mueller
Vernon is absolutely right. Buttars is not even worth slathering on a stale piece of bread. And with that thought in mind, here is some comic relief. It’s off-topic, but so what? So is Buttars.
In Memorium
With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person, which almost went unnoticed last week. Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote “The Hokey Pokey”, died peacefully at age 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started.
Charles J. Mueller
@Sebbe:
No, unfortunately, I did not get to watch Mr. Obama’s SOU.
I am still at my campsite and my TV is on the fritz, so I’ve been relying on my Verizon WiFi Card and my faithful MacBookPro companion to stay in touch with the rest of the world. ;-0
I’ll probably get to watch some video clips of it as they become available. I’ll take a look at MSNBC on the Internet.
Jindall? Don’t even get me started on that jerk! lol
Sebbe
oh yeah Florida right. Yeah Jindal did the official gop retort, was a joke.
hardmannyc
Awesome editorial.
Bob
Why does Sourpuss Buttars always look like he’s got something uncomfortable shoved up his ass?
Jaroslaw
They have a point you know. Anita Bryant galvanized Gays in Florida like nothing else could. That is just human nature, most of the time, unfortunately. Same for Catholic Schools, colleges and hospitals. If this country was welcoming, that would have never happened either.
KJ
His mom was right! His face froze that way.
RichardR
@KJ: Bob,it’s his head.
And the editorial suggestion (that he and his ilk are the best spokespeople for our issues) is correct. I’m sending a thanks to the Salt Lake Tribune.
I firmly believe that anything that generates the dialogue is valuable; in addition, Buttars, Phelps, and the Colorodo moron reported in another post this morning push sane people in our direction.